What is IPTV? A plain-English guide

IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television. The short version: your channels travel over your internet connection instead of a satellite dish, aerial or cable line.

How it works

A provider sends channels as data across the internet. Your player app receives that data, turns it into picture and sound, and shows it on your TV. That is the whole trick.

What you need

• A stable internet connection (roughly 25 Mbps for one 4K stream is comfortable)
• A device — Fire Stick, Android box, Smart TV or phone
• A player app such as TiviMate or IPTV Smarters
• A login — usually an M3U link or Xtream Codes (server, username, password)

IPTV vs streaming apps

Netflix and YouTube are also delivered over the internet, so people sometimes confuse the two. The difference is the shape: IPTV behaves like traditional TV with a channel list and a programme guide, while streaming apps are on-demand libraries.

IPTV vs cable

The picture comes through the same router you already pay for, so there is no dish, no aerial and no extra cabling. That is why it is cheap to run and why it works on almost any screen you already own.

The best way to judge any IPTV service is to ask for a free test line before you pay.